CEO Bill Morrow to quit NBN Co.

Camera IconHe has given no details of his next move, saying in a statement it was the right time to hand over leadership for the next phase of the NBN.Picture: AAPIMAGE

NBN chief executive Bill Morrow will quit his role by the end of the year, ending four years heading the roll-out of the national broadband network.

A global search will now take place to find a replacement for Mr Morrow, who said in a note to staff that it was “with a heavy heart” that he was announcing his decision to leave in order to pursue the next chapter of his career.

“At times my role at nbn has been challenging, relentless, and yes, sometimes frustrating but never has there been a time that I wasn’t proud to be a part of the nbn team,” Mr Morrow said in the note.

Mr Morrow has given no details of his next move, saying in a statement it was the right time to hand over leadership for the next phase of the NBN.

Mr Morrow was brought in as chief executive of NBN Co in 2014, coming across from his post as head of Vodafone Australia, where he had overseen a turnaround of the telco.

NBN chairman Ziggy Switkowski said Australia had been fortunate to have Mr Morrow lead the project, which now covers about 6.5 million homes.

“While we will be sorry to see him leave, Bill has built a resilient, performance-driven organisation which will build on his legacy,” Dr Switkowski said.

Federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann thanked Mr Morrow for his leadership of the NBN project, saying it had met all operational and financial targets during his tenure.

“The extended notice provided by Mr Morrow will enable the NBN Co board to undertake a thorough domestic and international search for his successor, and facilitate a smooth transition within the executive leadership team,” the ministers said in a joint statement.